But not all houses are created equal. Students in some houses succeed at higher rates than others. And while CRLS boasts a phenomenal range of resources, only certain students take advantage of them.

Those who don't usually fall through the cracks.

So CRLS Principal Paula Evans has proposed smaller, more autonomous schools that foster a sense of community among their students. Without being able to take classes in different houses, the students will be responsible to a core group of house teachers, who will also advise them.

Currently the students are assigned an adviser in ninth grade only.

According to Evans' plan, the schools must not only be more air-tight than the current house system, but they must also be more equal. The resources of the school are inequitably distributed, meaning students' educational experiences vary too widely. (Please see accompanying sidebar.)

The redesign is a step in the right direction, most CRLS affiliates say. However, CRLS' longtime emphasis on diversity and choice may be lost with this focus on uniform core education, they add.

Diversity

For many CRLS students and alumni, variety is the spice of life. The diverse teaching styles and personalities of the houses make their high school special. Students' major concern about the redesign is potential homogenization of the schools.